SOUTH PACIFIC MANDATES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17964, 14 December 1921, Page 9

SOUTH PACIFIC MANDATES.

AMERICA RESERVES RIGHTS. AN EXCHANGE OF NOTES. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Reed. 6.66 pirn.) WASHINGTON, Deo, 12. The spokesman of the United''States delegation'to-day explained the differences affecting"the United States as regards the 0 mandate islands in the Pacifio, north and. south, of the Equator. The Versailles Treaty not having been signed by the United States it had become necessary to define American rights. So far as the islands north of the Equator were concerned, said the smokesman, ,the United' States had 'a commercial treaty with Japan, and therefore the basis of the arrangement .was an extension of the provisions of this treaty to cover the islands with amplification in- some direcr tions, as for instance, jin regard ', to 'missionaries who-are given power to establish schools,. etc. This was a perfectly fair basis, and did not involve the',United States in the Versailles. Treaty'Or the J league of iNatious it. any way;- The other towers depended on. the Versailles Treaty, and the' United, States' had another.'equally 1 satisfactory solution. of the : .subject.:; ■•.'" Passing, to the islands'south';'of' Equator, the: spokesman explained, that a. different set of coriditiqns prevailed. .The United. : States' had no .commercial treaty with Britain covering Australia and; Ne* Zealand, and there • yas no. Yap .question to be settled. |t,was therefore necessary: to exchange' Notes making clear'.'.the:position'.' thit the United States/gave,lip jtb rights. "The ; reserved all ! ' rights' on , both Bide* ' *»'' *■,-. '" n